We can’t think of a better combination than DIY-crafts, cardboard, and kids—and Swiss architect Nicola Enrico Stäubli’s FoldSchool furniture does just that. What’s even better is that these chairs-for-kids (or for the kid in you) aren’t products for purchase, but rather FREE downloadable patterns from his website. All you need is a printer, some cardboard, and a pair of scissors, and you’re on your way to sitting pretty with your tots on some truly green, interactive, and surprisingly sturdy seating. Your three options are stool, rocker, and chair, each of which are simple to create and would make a great eco-design crafts project for you and your little one on a rainy day.

We love Nicola’s design-for-all attitude: in his own words, “mass culture is run by superficiality and ecological absurdity”. Foldschool supports craftsmanship as a face-to-face approach to design and brings together product and user the closest possible. The mindset of Foldschool is to restore design to one of its original missions: to provide a product at an affordable price through a smart manufacturing process.”

These easy-to-make furniture pieces are ideal for getting young kids interested in design and construction, and can even be used as part of a homeschooling curriculum. The furniture can be painted or decorated with découpage to suit each child’s preference, and their unique shapes lend perfectly to imaginative play: stools can transform into rocket ship seats, and rockers can be rideable dragons and unicorns. It’s great to see how recycled materials can be put to such innovative use, and getting kids involved in eco-friendly projects from day one sets them on a wonderful path of conservation, as well as creativity.

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14 Comments

Simply beautiful ideas, hope to make them and decorate it whith my kids at home. Can I used any of these in an art class at my kids school?

K. XiMarch 8, 2010 at 9:38 am

Fabulous! Can’t wait to collection some cardboard and get serious! May I teach this at my library?

anitaApril 18, 2009 at 9:39 pm

very cool and inspired

artistryinfauxMarch 19, 2009 at 8:20 am

those are so cute and something they can do with you…what can be better than that.

SindreNovember 15, 2007 at 3:36 pm

When I saw this, I thought it was possible to fold up all the three items out of one piece. Like a transformer-cardboard stool… Anyway, love the cardboard interest. Worked at a local grocery-shop i Norway and collected a lot of cardboard intended for making somethin fun.

m.anhaltApril 24, 2007 at 4:06 am

A means of adhesion? Ive read about a by product of soy producti production that is used as a glue, as well there are recipies for a glue made from dairy

royalestelApril 2, 2007 at 1:41 pm

This, is. Awesome. Just replace the spray adhesive with glue stick as mentioned, and you’ll be just fine.

LOVE THIS!

howardMarch 24, 2007 at 12:46 pm

I agree with the spray glue comment but think the idea and concepts are good. I think that glue sticks would work just fine and are not toxic.

JamesMarch 24, 2007 at 12:26 am

I do think these are beautiful objects. The finished product is sustainable. The spray glue called for in the instructions is certainly not. That stuff is nasty and I wouldn’t use it around kids. Can anyone suggest alternatives?